A small fee of £10 is compulsory, to secure a place for the night; there is an aspirational target of £200 per person.

The University is hoping to raise £10,000, with all students involved getting sponsorship to take part in the event.

All the money raised during the sleepout will be distributed to CEOSleepout, local charities and causes in the Tees Valley area.

Suzanne Withrington, Principal Lecturer in Enterprise and Business Engagement at Teesside University Business School, who has helped organise the event, said: “I am delighted that Teesside University is supporting this event. It is really important that we all have an understanding of some of the harsh challenges facing society today. I’m sure that our students will gain a lot from taking part and leave the event having experienced some of the harsh realities of being homeless.”